Legislators promote Bay State seafood

Tuesday

Aug 12, 2014 at 12:33 AMAug 12, 2014 at 12:37 AM

BOSTON – A marketing program aimed at highlighting and promoting the state’s seafood industry is one step closer to launch.

The economic development bill that includes the seafood marketing program – originally offered by Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, and co-sponsored by legislators including Rep. James Cantwell, D-Marshfield, in December 2013 – was part of the recently-passed jobs legislation.

“Goals of this program include bringing attention to seafood in our economy, promote it as healthy food and make people aware of Mass. seafood as an internationally known brand, like Vermont Maple Syrup and Napa Valley Wine,” said Cantwell.

Another goal of the program is to establish market prices by promoting seafood when demand is low or supply is high.

Fishing boat crew members, fish plant and wholesaler employees and retail and food-service salespeople make up a Massachusetts seafood industry impacted by “increasingly crushing” federal fishing regulations, and the program is a response to such restrictions, according to a press release from Tarr’s office.

Cantwell, Tarr and other coastal legislators comprise the Special Commission on Seafood Marketing. The group worked closely to develop the strategy behind educating the public on the state’s fishing industry and resources.

Money has not been allocated for the bill, which is subject to appropriation by the Legislature, Cantwell said.

The program has begun in terms of spreading public awareness to seafood consumers, he said.

Cantwell and his fellow legislators have consulted with Legal Sea Foods, the New England Aquarium and restaurants to understand and emulate similar seafood marketing strategies.

“The program is ongoing. Our long-term goal would be to have seafood labeled as ‘Massachusetts Harvested’ within the next year. That’s the purpose of this,” said Cantwell.